The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is actively considering a significant change to border procedures that could streamline the travel experience for millions of international passengers transiting through the country.
Potential End to a Long-Standing Rule
At the heart of the review is the current requirement for all travellers with a stopover in Canada to formally check in with customs, even if their final destination is another country. This rule applies to passengers who must clear Canadian customs during a connecting flight before proceeding to their next gate.
The CBSA is now evaluating whether this step remains necessary for modern border security and passenger flow. The agency confirmed the review was reported on December 1, 2025, highlighting a potential shift towards a more efficient transit system.
Implications for Major Hub Airports
If the requirement is scrapped, the impact would be most felt at Canada's major international hubs like Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). These airports process a high volume of connecting passengers daily.
The change would mean travellers whose final destination is outside Canada would no longer need to queue at primary inspection kiosks or speak with a border services officer during their layover. Their clearance could be handled administratively behind the scenes, relying on advanced passenger information and risk assessment tools.
Balancing Security with Passenger Convenience
The CBSA's consideration is not about reducing security, but rather about applying it more intelligently. The agency employs sophisticated data analytics and receives passenger manifests from airlines well before flights land.
This pre-screening allows officers to focus resources on higher-risk individuals and shipments, rather than requiring every transit passenger to undergo a manual check-in process. The move aligns with global trends in aviation security that prioritize risk-based, intelligence-led approaches over blanket procedures for all travellers.
A final decision has not been announced, and any policy change would likely undergo further consultation and a phased implementation. The review signifies the CBSA's ongoing effort to modernize border operations while maintaining its mandate to protect the safety and security of Canadians.
